By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications Oh, 2020. You were a demanding year. We all had to make so many adjustments (and we still are!). At TJJD, students hunkered down and adapted to altered routines in which safety required they forego big gatherings, …
By Y. Denise Caldwell, Community & Family Relations Coordinator, TJJD North District Seven lucky TJJD youth got to play a popular video game, Among Us, with two NFL players Adrian A.C. Colbert, a free safety with the New York Giants, and Raheem …
By Pedro Lozano, Youth Development Coach, Tamayo House If at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again. This age-old proverb would prove true, as frustration quickly began to overtake excitement during a Tamayo House fishing trip to Port Mansfield. …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications TJJD has announced its first class of “Texas Model Champions,” team leaders who are being recognized for their excellent work with youth and dedication in becoming agents of change on their campuses. The Champions …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications When you’re a teenager seeking that first job and desperate to begin to earn a little money, it can feel like you’re walking with your sneakers tied together. You need to step up, but you’re worried that you’ll plank …
By Y. Denise Caldwell, Volunteer Services Coordinator, Fort Worth district McFadden Ranch honored its 2020 graduating class of six young men with a first-ever virtual graduation for the halfway house in Roanoke. The Sept. 28 ceremony was broadcast …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications Troy McPeak betrays only a hint of a smile as he sets the two teams of adults scurrying across the floor at cross purposes. Team One is told to knock down the orange pylons and Team Two is instructed to put them back …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications At TJJD family days, parents, grandparents, siblings and mentors rush in with a smile and a hug for the young people they’ve come to see. Families snuggle into groups over plates of barbecue and games of UNO and …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications Tamayo House staffers Israel Saenz and Gerardo Penuelas both discovered guitars as kids and found joy making music. Today they reach back to those early experiences when they were immersed in teen bands or plucking …
Several TJJD campuses boast thriving edible gardens either as free-standing projects or part of the horticulture programs offered by Lone Star high schools. These include two new promising gardens installed this spring at Ayres and Tamayo halfway houses, …
Like everyone, youth and staff at TJJD have had to deal with certain limitations during the coronavirus outbreak.And while that has created challenges, it has also produced discoveries as youth try new things.At Gainesville State School, the young men are …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications Welding classes at Lone Star High School North get underway quickly. As soon as the heavy metal door to the shop slams closed, students crisscross the floor, briskly rolling out machines, donning flame resistant …
By Barbara Kessler, TJJD Communications Like many direct care workers in many sectors, TJJD staff have been wearing masks every day on the job. And no one is rocking the masked look better than the staff at the Mart facility, thanks to family and volunteer …
